Algerian Senior, in France Since 1966, Wins Reprieve from Deportation Threat

Mohan owes a great debt to the press, in particular to Le Parisien, who mentioned his case. The same day the article was published, the septuagenarian of Algerian origin and residing in Savigny-sur-Orge received a call from the Palaiseau Sub-prefecture. Finally, he gets an appointment for November 14 to have his case examined.

Indeed, for the past three months, it had been completely impossible for Mohand, who arrived in France in 1966, to obtain an appointment, even though he had been renewing his residence permit every 10 years, the French daily reports.

In reality, the dematerialization reform is experiencing many glitches. Mohand was unable to obtain an appointment online due to the lack of slots. "When he tried, the system refused him, on the grounds that his residence permit had expired," the same media specifies.

Supported by his son-in-law in this fight, Mohand could not hide his joy. "When I learned about it, I danced with my grandchildren!" he rejoiced, adding that he is finally relieved to have obtained this appointment, as he did not fail to specify: "This situation was making me suffer."

According to the son-in-law, there are still "digital outcasts who do not have the chance to have a spokesperson who takes care of all these administrative procedures. There are still many left behind."

For its part, the prefecture said that the system only blocks appointments when the residence permit "has been expired for more than 6 months", adding that Mohand "could therefore not be refused an appointment for this reason", and that he could also obtain an appointment at the reception desk of the Palaiseau Sub-prefecture.